Is Hopkins Engager Breakaway Kit Compatible with Over 30 Tandem Axle Trailer with 12 Gauge Wire

Question

Question:

Hi there, in the past we have used this Hopkins 20400 breakaway kit for single axle trailers. We are getting ready to make some tandem axle versions but the axle manufacturer states that we need 12 Ga wire to span the Over 30foot length. The breakaway kit uses 16 Ga wires on the battery and breakaway switch. Is this an issue or are there kits that use heavier gauge wiring? Thank you!

asked by: Garrett S

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Expert Reply:

I reached out to my contact at Hopkins and she said that the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit # 20400 has been tested on a variety of trailer lengths and so it will be good to use on your tandem axle trailers. The heavier gauge wire that is shown in the chart you sent in will just help to ensure that as much power as possible is traveling as far as possible.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

For the brake wire on your 7,000lb car hauler you will want to use a 12 Gauge Wire #12-1-1 for the power wire. The ground wire can either be grounded to the frame or you can use the Jacketed 2 Wire #12-2-1 if you are not using the frame as a ground.…

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Answer 2

It's possible, but I have no way of knowing which axle would fit so you'll need to either send me a picture of the axle tag on the center of the axle beam, or measure the hub face an spring seat lengths of your current axle as shown in the…

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Answer 3

First you will need to remove the old hydraulic equipment. Remove the surge coupler or actuator, remove all the lines, and finally remove the brake assemblies. If you have 10 inch diameter hub and drums, you may need to replace those as well. If you…

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Answer 4

You can convert surge brakes to an electric over hydraulic braking system. To do this, you will need an electric over hydraulic actuator and a brake controller. For an electric over hydraulic actuator, I recommend looking at the Carlisle HydraStar…

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Answer 5

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 6

There really isn't a particular maximum trailer weight that is used to determine when brakes need to be added to both axles of a tandem axle setup. While I do still recommend checking your local laws, I am also not aware of any general laws that…

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Answer 7

Hey Anthony, Here at etrailer we have a controller or two that will do the opposite (take the air system from a tow vehicle and make it work with electric trailer brakes), but we don't have any controllers that will work with air brakes on the…

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Answer 8

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection. These days, more and more manufacturers are using…

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Answer 9

Hey Mark, since we know your trailer has two 7k axles and a bolt pattern of 8 on 6-1/2 inch the correct DeeMax disc brake kit would be the part #DE66AR which comes with everything needed to add electric over hydraulic DeeMax brakes to your trailer.

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Answer 10

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Is Hopkins Engager Breakaway Kit Compatible with Over 30 Tandem Axle Trailer with 12 Gauge Wire

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